How long does pain go on after the shingles have gone and antivirals taken?

It varies by person: Each person responds differently. Shingles is caused by dormant chicken pox within nerves. It gets reactivated due to immune system stress, moves out to skin, causes rash/pain. Post-herpetic neuralgia(pain) may persist for months. Treatment: capsacin topical cream (never put on rash), low doses of anti-seizure/antidepressant medicines. Prevention: the zoster vaccine lowers risk of future outbreaks.

/variable.: Most cases of shingles last 3 to 5 weeks. Usually 1 to 5 days after one experiences pain/burning in a specific area, a rash with blisters appears. This may take a week to 10 days to dry up & become crusty. Usually within a couple of weeks the scabs resolve. REF: https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/shingles#catch. Course may be shorter with antiviral medications.